BBQ Beef Nachos (Printable)

Crispy chips topped with smoky barbecue beef, melted cheese, jalapeños, and fresh toppings for game day.

# What You Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 cup barbecue sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Nachos

07 - 10 ounces sturdy tortilla chips
08 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Toppings

10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
11 - 1/3 cup sliced pickled jalapeños
12 - 1/2 cup diced red onion
13 - 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
15 - 1 avocado, diced (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is soft, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 additional minute. Stir in barbecue sauce and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter.
05 - Spoon barbecue beef mixture evenly over chips. Sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and top with sour cream, pickled jalapeños, diced red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado if desired. Serve immediately.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together fast enough that you can make it during halftime and still catch the action.
  • The barbecue sauce gives the beef a sweet smoky punch that plain taco meat just can't match.
  • Every chip gets its fair share of toppings so nobody's stuck with the sad dry ones at the bottom.
  • You can swap the protein or go meatless and it still tastes like you put in real effort.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the beef, too much grease will make your chips soggy and nobody wants that.
  • Layering the cheese directly on the chips before the beef helps create a moisture barrier that keeps everything crispy longer.
  • Let the barbecue beef cool for just a minute before spooning it on, scorching hot meat can cause the cheese to split instead of melt smoothly.
03 -
  • A drizzle of hot sauce or a squeeze of lime juice right before serving wakes up all the flavors.
  • If you want extra smokiness, add a pinch of chipotle powder to the beef or use a smoky barbecue sauce.
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts smoother and tastes fresher.
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